Cricket fans around the world universally wiped a tear from their eye as the children of the late Andrew Symonds made a heartwarming appearance during the New Year’s Test.
As bad light and rain prompted play to be abandoned on Day 2 at the SCG, the Symonds’ kids were interviewed on live TV in the Fox Cricket studio.
Speaking articulately to commentators Mark Howard, Adam Gilchrist and Kerry O’Keeffe — Will and Chloe Symonds were the spitting image of their father as they spoke about their love of cricket and sport.
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“We go to the commentary box and look at these two rock stars,” Howard said as he introduced the two youngsters.
“This is Will and Chloe Symonds, of course the children of Andrew and Laura. Chloe, firstly can you give us a weather condition update? What do you think is happening out there?”
Chloe replied: “By the looks of it, it’s not clearing up too well so I don’t think play’s going to go through.”
Howard joked: “Finally some honesty, Chloe! We’ve been saying it’s going to clear away.”
Symonds died in May 2022 at the age of 46 in a car accident near Townsville.
The popular all-rounder won two ODI World Cups, an Ashes series, and scored eight centuries across his international career.
Will Symonds has spent time with the Pakistan team during the SCG Test, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Babar Azam. He shared some pointers the star Pakistan batter gave him.
“I had a hit with Babar Azam,” Will said.
“Great guy. He was telling me about my front foot and how it needed to be straight — mine was slanted and it needed to be straight.”
Asked who his favourite player was, Will said: “Probably either Marnus (Labuschagne) or Travis Head or Babar Azam.”
Symonds’ ex-teammate Adam Gilchrist chimed in: “Good on you Billy. I know you had a birthday in late November and you got a new cricket bat. What style of cricket bat, what brand and who else used to use the same bat?”
“I got a (Gray Nicolls) Delta, Travis Head’s bat,” Will said.
“I’ve always wanted that bat. I had a bat the exact same but it was a smaller bat that I used to use. I’ve been asking mum for one and it was a surprise how I got it.”
The son of Symonds described himself as “a batting all-rounder but I also do a bit of keeping”.
“It’s been going fantastically actually, but my team hasn’t been going so well. We haven’t won a game yet but hopefully we can win a game after the holidays.”
As the two Symonds kids answered every question with ease, Howard said: “I have a son a very similar age to you and he would use the expression, ‘Are you guys loving yourselves sick being on television?
Chloe coolly answered: “Yes it’s a lot of fun.”
Roy would be looking down with pride.
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